Being the daughter of a banjo player, singer Fine Glindvad grew up travelling around Europe among folk musicians. The guitarist, Simon Kjรฆr Lauridsen, comes from the twisted-minded indie and free jazz environments. And the man behind the synths, Simon Lars Gustav Andersson, is a classically trained pianist. It sounds like an impossible combination, and not as a trio creating some of most captivating Danish pop music here and now.
Nevertheless, this is the case. On their very first single, 'Away From Me', CHINAH underline why they have stirred curiosity both home and abroad. 'Away From Me' is also the track that made the three members realize that together, they could accomplish something special.
- We have all been through a process of moving towards electronic pop and r&b from each our starting points. Being shamelessly melodic is not always well regarded where we come from, but we have been urging to play around with exactly that. So it has been very liberating for us. Still, we cannot avoid having our own edge because of our backgrounds, says Simon Lars Gustav Andersson.
These dynamics clearly shine through in 'Away From Me'. Fine Glindvadโs laidback vocal carries the track while beats and instruments build up to a climax that deliberately never arrives. CHINAHโs sense of economizing chaos finds its inspiration from various sources: Blood Orangeโs courage to chase big tunes, Jai Paulโs aesthetic anarchy and James Blake clean vocals.
Every song on the EP CHINAH releases in the fall explores and elaborates this style. Another theme running through tracks like 'Never the Same', 'We Go Back' and 'You Can Walk Away From Me' is Fine Glindvadโs non-romantic poetry smoldering beneath the delicate melodies.
- The lyrics are sung from the perspective naive submission. But it feels liberating because of the light melodies. It is a path towards acceptance: โI can lie here and bleed for you, but that is life.โ It is almost a tribute to laying yourself down. I am forever touched by statements of eerily sincerity. That is also why I do not use much imagery. I say it just as it is, says Fine Glindvad.
These themes also hint the fragileness of the band name, CHINAH.
Throughout the spring, CHINAH has toured with acclaimed Danish band Turboweekend and played at the important Danish SPOT Festival. Following SPOT, CHINAH was named among the best new acts by both Danish music magazine Soundvenue and international festival delegates. This autumn another single and an EP will follow.
Never The Same
Chinah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you will look the other way
'Cause nothing gets under your skin somehow
I let you
You seem to notice every detail of an evening
The morning fades and you say that I don't understand your love for me
Love to be understood twice
Still, you can count on me
'Cause you're never afraid
And you're never the same
Still, you can count on me
A boy, never afraid
And you're never the same
Still, you can count on me
I want the quiet fire between your eyes to lit me
We got a vision 'til it's gone
But nothing gets under your skin somehow
I let you
The way you walk, like everything, is at a distance
To watch you like a movie, like a recognition
Makes me wait for more
Wait, to be understood twice
Still, you can count on me
'Cause you're never afraid
And you're never the same
Still, you can count on me
A boy, never afraid
And you're never the same
Still, you can count on me
'Cause you're never afraid
And you're never the same
Still, you can count on me
A boy, never afraid
And you're never the same
Still, you can count on me
You were never the
You were never the same
You were never the
You were never the same
You were never the
'Cause you're never afraid
And you're never the same
Still, you can count on me
A boy, never afraid
And you're never the same
Still, you can count on me
The lyrics of Chinah's song "Never The Same" seem to explore the dynamics of a relationship where one person is experiencing a change that the other person is struggling to accept or understand. The singer acknowledges this change, and their partner's reluctance to acknowledge it, stating "I feel the change from me, you moved so hard to face it, and you will look the other way." However, despite this difference, the singer assures their partner that they can still rely on them, repeating the line "still, you can count on me."
The second verse expands on this theme, with the singer admitting their desire for closeness and intimacy with their partner ("I want the quiet fire between your eyes to lit me") but still feeling distanced by their partner's detachment ("The way you walk, like everything, is at a distance"). Ultimately, the song seems to be grappling with the idea that change, though difficult, is an inevitable part of life and relationships. Yet, the singer remains steadfast, sustaining their partner's trust and support even through these changes.
Overall, the lyrics of "Never The Same" touch on themes of trust, change, and the complexities of human connections. It's a beautifully introspective song that showcases Chinah's thoughtful songwriting and evocative vocals.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel the change from me, you moved so hard to face it
I sense a change in our relationship, but you're avoiding confronting it
And you will look the other way
You're ignoring the issue
'Cause nothing gets under your skin somehow
You're unfazed by things that bother others
I let you
I enable your behavior by not taking action
You seem to notice every detail of an evening
You're very observant and attentive in social situations
The morning fades and you say that I don't understand your love for me
When you're not as attentive or affectionate in the morning, you feel like I don't love you anymore
Love to be understood twice
You want to be reassured that I love you
Still, you can count on me
Despite the issues in our relationship, you can still rely on me
'Cause you're never afraid
You're courageous and fearless
And you're never the same
You're always changing and evolving
A boy, never afraid
You're like a child who doesn't fear anything
I want the quiet fire between your eyes to lit me
I want to feel the passion and desire in your gaze like before
We got a vision 'til it's gone
We had a shared dream but it's fading away
The way you walk, like everything, is at a distance
You seem emotionally distant even in your physical movements
To watch you like a movie, like a recognition
Observing you is like watching a movie, it feels familiar
Makes me wait for more
It makes me want to see more of you
You were never the same
You've changed from the person you used to be
Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Fine Glindvad Jensen, Simon Kjaer Lauridsen, Simon Lars Gustav Andersson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind